Presentations of Routine Dental Interventions in Children over a Six-Year Period.

Aim: To evaluate over a six-year period, the prevalence of the dental procedures in primary and mixed dentitions, in males and females. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study on dental treatments in primary and mixed dentitions was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University, from 2015 to 2020. The total number of children was 1291. Data were classified and reviewed according to the dentition type, gender, and type of dental treatment. Results: The number of children decreased from 741 for the period 2015-2017 to 550 during the period 2018-2020 (279 males and 271 females). No significant association was found between the admission periods and the genders. A significant relationship was found between the number of treatments performed in both genders and the dentition types (p value = 0,015). Males were slightly more likely than females to present for the treatment in mixed dentition (54.58% versus 45.2%, respectively). Results portrayed a significant relationship between surgical treatment and gender (p value = 0.049). However, no significant relationship between gender and other treatment types was noted. The comparison between the 2 time frames and the types of treatments showed a significant association in composite fillings (p value = 0.043), extractions (p value < 0.0001), sealants (p value = 0.039), preventive resin restoration (p=0.011), pulp therapies (p value < 0.0001), pediatric crowns (p value < 0.0001), and surgical interventions (p value = 0.013). A nonsignificant relationship was recorded for the appliances and composite crowns (p value = 0.45 and 0.14, respectively). Conclusion: The present study points out the implications of the COVID-19 outbreak and Lebanon's economic collapse on children's dental status, with the number of children receiving dental care dropping remarkably. A decrease in all types of dental procedures was noted in mixed dentition, whereas an increase in dental treatments related to aggravated carious lesions was reported in primary dentition. More medical and financial aids are required to encourage and support parents' attitude towards children dental care during unprecedented crises.

Stainless-steel crowns in children: Norwegian and Finnish dentists' knowledge, practice and challenges.

BACKGROUND: Stainless-steel crowns (SSCs) are recommended for restorative treatment of young teeth severely affected by caries, fractures or dental developmental disorders (DDDs). However, despite recommendations and clinical evidence, SSCs are not widely used by general dentists, who favour extraction and more conventional restorations. The present study aimed to investigate the views of and use of SSCs among Norwegian and Finnish dentists. METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional survey among Norwegian and Finnish dentists. An electronic questionnaire was sent to Norwegian and Finnish dentists asking whether they used SSCs and on which indications. In addition, the questionnaire assessed reasons for non-use and dentists' perceptions regarding advantages and challenges in the use of SSCs, as well as the need for additional training. Distributions of background characteristics, use of and views on SSCs were calculated, and statistical significance of the associations between respondents' background and their answers were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 574 Norwegian and 765 Finnish respondents, only 12.0% and 12.9% reported to use SSCs, respectively. The most frequently reported barrier reported by those who did not use SSCs was lack of practical training. The most frequent challenge reported by those using SSCs was difficulties in crown adjustment followed by aesthetic issues, and the most frequently reported advantage was that SSCs maintain the function and occlusion. The majority of respondents reported a need for more information and practical training in the use of SSCs, with hands-on course as their most frequently preferred education type. CONCLUSION: Although the value of SSCs for restoring young molars is recognized by Norwegian and Finnish dentists, SSCs are rarely used by general dentists. The majority of the respondents reported lack of training and materials and was interested in receiving more information and education.